This month, the latest in the “Punk Goes” series was released and was well worth the wait.
The compilation series features punk and indie-rock bands covering different songs from specific genres and/or time periods of music.
The newest in the series, “Punk Goes Pop 2,” features 14 bands and 14 pop songs deemed worthy of covering.
Some of the covers, while good in their own ways, don’t change the original much at all. Attack Attack’s “I Kissed A Girl” (Katy Perry), The Cab’s “Disturbia” (Rhianna), Chiodos’ “Flagpole Sitta” (Harvey Danger), There for Tomorrow’s “Ice Box”(Omarion), A Day To Remember’s “Over My Head (Cable Car)” (The Fray) and Silverstein’s “Apologize” (One Republic) are all on the CD and are all amazing – even though not much was changed from the original versions.
Unfortunately, August Burns Red’s “Baby One More Time” (Britney Spears) was just brutally awful. Perhaps a metal fan would enjoy it.
I did enjoy Breathe Carolina’s cover of “See You Again” (Miley Cyrus). In fact, I liked it better than Miley’s. I’m sure even Thom Yorke would like it better (Google “Miley ruins Radiohead”).
The other cover songs are amazing and make this CD a must have for all punk and pop fans alike. Alesana’s “What Goes Around” (Justin Timberlake) is a perfect combination of hardcore lyrics and metal guitar with the soul of the original.
Mayday Parade adds drama and a sultry masculine voice to “When I Grow Up” (Pussycat Dolls) but doesn’t forget to deliver high energy in the chorus.
One of the most interesting covers was Escape the Fate’s “Smooth” (Rob Thomas) – the vocals are nothing like Thomas’ but are equally as good, if not better, and it certainly gives Santana a run for his money as far as the guitar is concerned.
Bayside changes up “Beautiful Girls” (Sean Kingston) by removing the “Stand By Me” backbeat and A Static Lullaby gives “Toxic” (Britney Spears) an aggressive and in-your-face type of edge you would have never expected by just hearing the original.
Though these are all amazing, one song takes the cake. Four Year Strong’s cover of “Love Song” (Sara Bareilles) keeps the great aspects of the original and adds the band’s signature sound, turning this into what one may call “happy hardcore.”
All in all, when it comes to purchasing this album, buy it by individual songs to save yourself the trouble of hearing someone bellow, “hit me baby one more time” in a scary metal voice.
